Headline: Led by Ryan McCormick... Four Young Golfers Advance at 2009 U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifying
For Immediate Release: June 18, 2009
Norton, MA — It was not exactly ideal conditions, but a field of more than 70 aspiring golfers donned rain gear and umbrellas and competed in U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifying at Walpole Country Club. The players battled through 36 holes of stroke play in hopes of capturing one of the only four qualifying spots available.
Leading the way with a score of 4-over par 146 was Ryan McCormick (Middletown, NJ), an outstanding young talent who just completed his junior season at Mater Die High School. McCormick posted identical scores of 2-over par 73 to guarantee a spot at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship which will be held in his backyard at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ on July 20-25.
This past season, McCormick was named the Asbury Park Press Player of the Year for the third straight season after winning three individual titles and leading his high school team to a share of the Class B Central New Jersey title. In addition to the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, McCormick has plans to compete in the North-South Junior at Pinehurst (NC) and will take advantage of an exemption earned for the Trusted Choice Big I Classic in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
Two strokes back of McCormick was Chris Houston (Gilford, NH), while Joe Toland (White River Junction, VT) and Alexandre Belmont (Concord, MA) claimed the final two spots with scores of 7-over par 149. In total four New England states were represented by today’s qualifiers.
2009 U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifying
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Par 142 (71-71)
Qualifiers
1) Ryan McCormick (Middletown, NJ) 73-73—146
2) Chris Houston (Gilford, NH) 75-73—148
T3) Joe Toland (White River Junction, VT) 74-75—149
T3) Alexandre Belmont (Concord, MA) 72-77—149
Alternates
1st) Codi Daudelin (Strafford, NH) 71-78—149
2nd) Chelso Barrett (Keene, NH) 74-76—150
** The photo above is courtesy of All Shore Media